Mazeppa Area Historical Happenings Compiled by Mike HoltorfMazeppa Tribune-1893 July 5: The stone walk on the east side of Main street has been replace by plank walk, a change which will be appreciated by all, unless perhaps it is our dealer in boots and shoes. A horse tied in front of Phillip’s Saturday made short work of a basket of dishes which was set down within its reach. It picked the basket up in its teeth and then dropped it, breaking everything. July 12: Death of Jones Segar: It is with sadness that we record the death of Jones Segar, which occurred on Thursday, about noon. The deceased was one of the old settlers of this place having lived here for about twenty-five years, all but the last of which had been spent on his farm. About a year ago his health began to fail and he moved into town. But his disease was incurable, although all that medical skill could do was done for him, and he at last yielded. The funeral occurred on Saturday from the Congregational church being conducted by Rev. A.L. Struthers. He left a wife and three children. There are a few men living near here who make it a point to get drunk and create a disturbance whenever they come to town. They should be taken in, charged by our village officers and taught to keep quiet. July 19: John Hager has purchased A.J. Myers’ residence property in the southeast part of town, paying $600 for it, which is considered very cheap by those who are posted on the price of property here. The Bear Valley Creamery Company made their first shipment of butter on Wednesday, shipping about five hundred pounds to several different firms as samples. Mr. & Mrs. John E. Philley are the happy parents of a daughter, born a week ago Tuesday. Aug. 2: Son born to Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Maas Aug. 30: Married: Aug. 29th- Stephen Reding & Miss Susan Arendt Deaths: A two year old boy of Henry Albers died on Thursday night. The child had been suffering for several days from what seemed to be a sore throat and on Thursday night the parents awoke to find him dead, evidently smothered. Dr. O.S. Lont died Aug. 8th in Downey, California. Dr. O.S. Lont was born in the in Lebanon, Madison Co., New York, Sept. 6, 1821. Dr. Lont began the practice of medicine early in life, in the year 1841 and continued to practice until his removal to California in 1890. He practiced medicine for 35 yrs. in the beautiful town of Mazeppa and its vicinity should have endeared its people, its hills and its valleys to his heart and memory; that new friends and strange scenery could not supplant his affection for his old home. Had he possessed a greed for the accumulation wealth that many with his opportunities and abilities have had, he might have accumulated a fortune in dollars, but he answered any summons or call of distress regardless of the question pay, and many are left, many have passed on before. The last legislature passed a law which prohibited tying the feet of animals when carrying them in a wagon. It seems that it is not understood, as it is violated almost every day. The crew on this section of the narrow gauge is now composed of three men. Foreman Frank Wilde, Frank Tri, and John Steuffel being considered enough to keep things in shape. The cylinder of Mat Nei’s engine was blown off on Monday while at work at Herman Klingsporn’s about seven miles south of town. It will cost nearly $200 to repair the damage, but the delay at this season of the year is especially aggravating. Fortunately no one was hurt. No reason can be assigned for the accident. Darcy & Gombert have just finished a well for Wm. Reitman, near Zumbro Falls, going down 260 feet in a little less than nine days. Sept. 27: On Saturday, Sept. 23, Ray, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. David Jones Jr., of Bear Valley died of cholera infantum. Ray was born on Aug. 29th. Desecrated the Silent City: There has been considerable excitement in town since last Saturday on account of a grave robbery. About a year ago an infant child of August Gatje was buried on a lot belonging to Blake, for whom S. Denning is agent. At the time the understanding was that the body should be removed in a short time. This was not done and on Saturday morning it was found that it had been removed. No trace of it could then be found, but on Sunday the casket and body were found near the grave, evidently having been carried back by the parties who perpetrated the deed. The cemetery association has taken up the matter and will endeavor to hunt out the guilty parties and punish them. County attorney McGovern was up on Monday looking into the matter. J.B. Gregoire put up an Aermotor mill for A. M. Casper last week. The Aermotor is the mill and John is right in it when it comes to selling them. Dec. 27: The Mazeppa Tribune has been sold by Benn Houghtaling to the Tribune Publishing with Joseph Phillips as manager. Mr. Houghtaling during his two year’s labor on the Tribune has made it a good paper, and we hope that in the new field he may enter success may meet his efforts, and to his successor we extend the hand of friendship. Hammond At The Front July 19: Word has been received from the butter which was sent by the Hammond Creamery for exhibition at the World’s Fair in Chicago, it being given second place in this state. The score stood as follows: Flavor, 41; grain, 25; color, 15; salting, 10; packing, 5 total 96. We are informed that no particular pains were taken with this butter, but that it was only a fair sample of their daily work. It speaks well for the company and for their butter-maker, Frank Prindle.

We are very glad to notice that teams left standing at hitching posts on the streets of Mazeppa are almost always carefully blanketed. A prosperous farmer can be told from his care of his horses.

The panther which was recently reported as being seen in the vicinity of Oronoco, turns out to be a large lynx. It was recently killed, but not until it had terribly lacerated the hounds with which it was being hunted.

A large wolf was seen across the pond yesterday and pursued, but the bold hunters only succeeded in killing a few jack-rabbits.

The snow and cold weather of the past few weeks have made it pretty hard for wolves to get a living and they are becoming fierce and bold.

Wm. Hofschulte & Joseph Hofschulte expect to leave the first of next week for Archer, Texas, where Wm. has purchased a farm. He has only recently returned from there and is greatly pleased with the country. We are very sorry to learn that he is to leave, but then we can’t always have things to please us. Joe has also caught the Texas bug.

Jos. Trausch has put up a large quantity of ice for use in his brewery next summer. The ice is nearly two feet thick and of a splendid quality.

There is a strong probability that a big bridge will take the place of the ferry across the Mississippi river at Red Wing. From what we have seen we should say that a bridge is needed.

Several young men, who had looked upon the wine until they were red, make a good deal of noise upon the streets Saturday evening. The parties are known and if the thing occurs again we shall feel called upon to mention them by name.

L.S. Judd is the possessor of two mementoes of the early days of Mazeppa in the shape of two invitations to dances given in the year 1859. The first is for an “Independence Ball,” given July 4th, 1859, by the ladies of Mazeppa, at Mazeppa Hall, and the committee of arrangements consisted of O.D.Ford, John A. Martin, F.A. Stowell, L.B. Mathews and H.B. Washburn. The second is an invitation to a Christmas Ball,” given at the house of E. Lont, December 23rd, 1859. Ladd Roby acted as floor manager and Washburn’s Band furnished the music. Mr. Judd prizes these invitations highly, and they are very interesting to anyone who knows anything of early history of the place. In this connection we would ask if it would not be a good thing for the old settlers to form an association and hold an annual meeting. It would doubtless prove a source of pleasure to all who could attend, and the proceedings would certainly form a valuable addition to the history of the place. In other places such organizations are maintained and the yearly meetings are looked forward to with the keenest anticipation, bringing together as they do so many of the pioneers, some of whom have moved to other places, but who return for the pleasure of meeting their old friends. The columns of the Tribune are open to anyone who wishes to say anything upon the subject.

A New Firm: on Saturday Jas. Darcy purchased of E.F. Hopkins the building occupied by Geo. Powers as a meat market, as well as the market fixtures and scales. Shortly after he entered into a partnership with Mr. Powers, and closed up his market in the Poncelet building. The new firm will be known as Powers & Darcy and will make a strong firm.

Millville: S.D. Welch, of Millville, sold out his entire business and buildings at that place last week to Schleiker(sic) Bros., who are well and favorably known there. We have not learned what Mr. Welch’s plans for the future.

B.F. Winterburn is making decided improvements on the interior of the old “Mike Sullivan” building. He plans on re-opening the saloon.

Frank Stoddard has sold the place which he purchased a few weeks ago from John Tri, and has moved back into town. Theodore LaVan was the purchaser, but we have not learned the price paid.

An Exciting Chase: On Thursday last two of our good friends who live not more than a thousand miles from the village were astonished to see a large wolf crossing their fields. Visions of wolf-bounty and a nice rug flashed across their mental vision and they made up their minds to have that wolf or know the reason why. So they girded up their loins for the fray, procured provisions for several days-more or less,-seized their (t)rusty(sic) Winchesters and started out. For some time—we cannot tell just how long, for we were not there—but for a good length of time, they followed hard after the animal, and at last they were within rifle shot of it and were ready to bring it down. But for some reason they changed their minds and returned home, sadder but wiser men. It was a neighbor’s dog! We think that cigars are in order. Better bring them up soon.

A Village Hall- The talk of a village hall, which has for several years been agitated just before each annual election, but to no effect, has at last taken definite form, in the shape of a petition to the village recorder. J.W. Kingsley has made a liberal offer and one which we think should be accepted by the village. It is that if the council will appoint any three business men of the place to appraise his lot on the east side of Main street, he will give one half the appraised price, giving the lot for half price. The lot in question is as centrally located as any which can be obtained and is a most desirable one.

The hall can be erected without the cost being felt if the plan outlined in the petition is followed. That it is needed is not questioned by any.

Note: The Village Hall was later taken to the voters and refused by a slim margin at the city election.